Im Sir Blake showing form
Armstrong-based training duo Danny and Leroy O’brien combined with Great Western reinswoman Kerryn Manning to take out the $25,000 final of the Northern Region Championship with smart three-year-old Im Sir Blake on Thursday night at Mildura.
Drawn three wide on the second line at the start, Manning allowed her charge to settle one out, four back and, with a solid tempo set by the leaders, was content to hold that spot until the bell was sounded.
At that point Manning latched onto the back of driver Glen Douglas as he made a three-wide move with Artistic Saint and followed the three wide train until reaching the back stretch.
Im Sir Blake sprinted quickly out four wide and had rounded up the leaders before heading for home.
The gelding raced away from his older opponents over the final stages to score by 20 metres in a rate of 1:58.3 for the 2190-metre journey.
Horsham pacer Keayang Bazooka, 40-to-one odds, battled on bravely for the Barry Dunn-aaron Dun-steve Blacker team and collected the $3750 runner-up cheque, with Artful Christian, Michelle Phillips, 25-to-one, finishing third.
Im Sir Blake was an eight-metre victor in the first round heat of the championship at Swan Hill and looked to have the second round ‘in the bag’ at Ouyen before breaking stride 50 metres from the post and being relegated to second by stewards.
With promise of even better things ahead, Im Sir Blake’s current record stands at 17 starts for seven wins, seven minor placings and $58,840.
Desire to win
The ownership group of Brumby, Sturgess, Mcaloon, Malloy and company bobs up regularly in the winner’s circle at tracks spread far and wide, their latest success being with Springfield Desire in an R0 contest at Port Pirie on Sunday.
The three-year-old gelding is trained by Adelaide-based horseman Ryan Hryhorec and was driven by Wayne Hill, who notched up five winners at the meeting.
Springfield Desire lined up as sole second row starter behind the mobile barrier for the 1609-metre dash and Hill was content for his charge to sit in the running line, well back from the leaders, until the bell sounded.
They gradually made ground towards the head of affairs before sprinting clear at the 250-metre mark and proved too strong over the final stages to record an eight-metre victory.
Springfield Desire started her career in Queensland with a win on debut in a two-yearold contest at Albion Park, but changed owners in December 2018 after her form tapered off.
No doubt a cheap buy, Brumby and company have seen the bay record four wins and two minor placings from just nine outings in South Australia.
Mackay’s got talent
The Weekly Advertiser’s thoroughbred correspondent Josh Mackay showed his dual gaited talent when standing in as co-host for 3WM’S Saturday Morning Shirtfront at the weekend.
Mackay delivered ‘Josh’s Junk Mail’ to the listeners for the Melton harness meeting on Saturday night, with his tip, Illawong Maestro duly saluting at $5.40.
It’s hot to trot
Harness racing action returns to Horsham on Sunday afternoon with the first of eight races scheduled for 12.04pm.
There will be a full tote service and SKY coverage of all three codes of racing from coast to coast. Admission is free through West Side.